Data analysis by consumer champion Which? has found that the cost of family favourite meals has skyrocketed in the past year. Meanwhile, for those looking to save during the cost-of-living crisis, supermarket budget ranges are also spiking in price.

The study includes a range of supermarkets and considers the costs of everyday items for a family of four. Popular meals such as a three-ingredient pasta bake, a spaghetti bolognese, a fish finger meal and a Sunday roast chicken were analysed.

Pasta bake up 27%

A pasta bake for four people increased by 27% compared to the same price last year. The average cost of the meal was £2.68 and had increased to £3.39 in May 2022.

Fish fingers and chips up 24%

A regular fish finger meal with chips and beans, increased by 24% from £3.06 to £3.79. Baked beans increased by an average of 36% with some increasing by up to 77% such as 54p to 95p per tin at Asda. On average, frozen chips increased by almost a quarter (23%) and some varieties doubled in price.

Spag bol up by more than a £1

A standard bolognese recipe including beef mince, onion, carrots, stock, garlic, chopped tomatoes and dried spaghetti, as well as olive oil increased from £5.53 on average to £6.63 for the same period in 2023. Across all other supermarkets the meal increased by a fifth on average. Own label 4% fat beef mince increased by 59% for 500g to £3.60 at Tesco.

Sunday roast up 13%

A typical Sunday roast chicken, potatoes, peas, broccoli, carrots, and gravy as well as vegetable oil was the most expensive overall but increased the least, by 13% going from £6.43 to £7.28. Vegetable oil and chicken gravy granules increased by 43% and 40% respectively and individual products such as 1kg of own label Asda Frozen for Freshness Garden Peas rose by 74% from 76p to £1.33 over the last 12 months.

Price increases on basic everyday ingredients mean that cooking at home has become more difficult, especially for those on lower incomes.

The Government is discussing how supermarkets can aid consumers as food prices remain high. In May, food inflation fell below 17% by 0.5% for the first time since February to 16.5% however inflation rose by 5.1 per cent since May 2021.

Budget ranges rising

Own label budget items have also been impacted, increasing by 26.6% in May. Own brand budget products are still usually the cheapest but the jump in prices have severely impacted low-income shoppers. Such items are rarely sold at smaller convenience stores, even though 66% over those on lower incomes regularly shop in such stores.

Sue Davies, head of food policy Which? said: “The cost of food during this period of economic uncertainty has turned the pleasure of mealtimes with loved ones into a nightmare for the millions that are struggling to afford food.

“Supermarkets must put their customers first by stocking budget lines in all of their stores, including convenience stores, to ensure easy access to basic, affordable food ranges as well as provide transparent pricing so people can easily work out which products offer the best value.

“Official Inflation data due out next week is still expected to show food prices at an elevated level, if supermarkets can’t do the right thing by their customers, it’s time for the Government to take action.”